Flower Power!

Northern Netherlands in the middle of the tulip season. With more than 10,000 hectares devoted to the cultivation of these delicate flowers, the Dutch landscape in May is a kaleidoscope of giddy colors as the tulips burst into life. The bulbs were planted in late October and early November, and these colorful creations are now ready to be picked and sold as bunches of cut flowers in florists and supermarkets. Mo re than three billion tulips are grown each year and two-thirds of the vibrant blooms are exported, mostly to the U.S. and Germany .

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An aerial view showing farmers seen as small dots in a yellow patch in tulip fields in northern Netherlands, Monday May 5, 2008. Tulips left outside to flower in the fields are for the cultivation of bulbs, flowers are a symbol of the country and one of is major export products. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)